Spa Work Underway

Posted on December 15, 2016

Spa Work Underway

Shrewsbury’s Mayor Councillor cut the first turf to mark the start of work on a new touring park.

Work has started on a new £3.5 million touring caravan park with a wellness centre and spa facilities in Shrewsbury.

The park, which will have 120 touring caravan pitches and create up to eight jobs, is being developed on 21.5 acres of land by Salop Leisure.

The environmentally-friendly development will also have a natural swimming pool, spa facilities, exercise studios, a gym and a wooden play area.

“We are keen to develop a park that is a new concept at one with nature and will instil a feeling of well-being and tranquillity in our visitors,” said Mark Bebb, Salop Leisure’s managing director.

“As a company we develop caravan parks to five star standard, but this touring park will raise the bar to a new level,” he added.

“I believe that what we are currently offering customers as an industry needs to improve and develop for the future and we have to move with the times and push boundaries.”

Sunny Outlook For Wales

Posted on November 14, 2016

Sunny Outlook For Wales

Simon Hart MP (centre) with from left, branch director and BH&HPA vice chairman Huw Pendleton, BH&HPA national chairman Henry Wild, branch chairman Thomas Scarrott and branch secretary Gail Thomas.

Holiday parks are at the forefront of West Wales’ booming tourism economy, according to West Wales MP Simon Hart. Mr Hart was at Cross Park Holiday Village in Kilgetty, near Tenby, in September where park owners and managers met for their end-of-summer conference.

The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP was the principal speaker at the conference, organised by the West Wales branch of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Feedback from parks, the MP told delegates, suggested that many were reaping the benefits of the continued investment they had made in the quality of their product.

The longer-term implications of the Brexit vote were also addressed by Mr Hart who said he believed that UK tourism would remain strong regardless of how EU negotiations concluded.

Areas such as West Wales, he said, had an enduring appeal both to British families and to visitors from overseas which would be undimmed by the final outcome.

Network Growth

Posted on November 14, 2016

Network Growth

Culzean Castle saw the biggest year-on-year growth, reporting a 45 per cent increase in the number of pitch nights booked in 2016.

The Camping and Caravanning Club has enjoyed a significant growth of five per cent in the number of campers on its network of 108 UK Club Sites so far in 2016.

The Club capitalised on good weather in July, August and September in particular, and has benefited from a wider trend towards staycations within the UK. Culzean Castle, on the Ayrshire coast, saw the biggest year-on-year growth, reporting a 45 per cent increase in the number of pitch nights booked in 2016.

Bob Hill, Club Sites Director, said: “We’re thrilled with the Club’s success in 2016. Enjoying our highest ever membership has clearly extended to more bookings made on our network of campsites. “We have helped hundreds of thousands of campers enjoy a break away this year, with well over one million pitch nights on Club Sites.”

A Cinderella Story

Posted on November 14, 2016

A Cinderella Story

There are 278 plots at South Lakeland Leisure Village, offering a mixture of holiday homes and holiday lets.

There are 278 plots at South Lakeland Leisure Village, offering a mixture of holiday homes & lets.

Hard work and determination has paid off for a woman who started working as a cleaner when she barely spoke a word of English and is now at the helm of an award-winning holiday park in north Lancashire.

Zuzana Terry, 36, who hails from Slovakia, only knew the basics of the English language when she got a job cleaning the facilities at Fell End Caravan Park at Hale, near Milnthorpe, in 2005. Within a short space of time she began helping out in the on-site shop before being promoted to duty manager in 2008.

Two years later, the park’s owners, Pure Leisure Group, moved her across to South Lakeland Leisure Village – where she has worked her way up from Head Housekeeper to General Manager in just six years.

“I couldn’t believe it. It was a huge surprise and I feel really proud,” said Mrs Terry, who grew up in Sobrance in Slovakia, but now lives in Carnforth. “When I first moved here I hardly spoke a word of English and I didn’t really know what a caravan or a lodge was. That meant I had to learn everything from scratch and I think it’s given me a huge advantage to have worked my way up and to understand how all the elements of the business work.”

Zuzana now oversees the day to day running of South Lakeland Leisure Village, which is Pure Leisure Group’s flagship park. Located in north Lancashire, close to the Lake District, the leisure village welcomes several thousand visitors each year, from owners to holidaymakers, many of whom have been visiting for years.

THRIVING VENUE

Zuzana now oversees the day to day running of South Lakeland Leisure Village, which is Pure Leisure Group’s flagship park.

The park sits on the site of a former gravel pit and was transformed into the thriving park it is today by owner John Morphet in 2003. “As well as offering sailing on the lake and its own leisure complex and restaurant, there’s all sorts to see and do on the doorstep, making the park very popular with families,” explains Zuzana.

“It is particularly popular with couples who have retired, or arenearing retirement, who enjoy the convenience of the park’s location. The majority of these owners let their lodges out when they or their families are not visiting themselves, ensuring their holiday home returns an income.”

There are 278 plots on the park, offering a mixture of holiday homes and holiday lets. The holiday lodges range in price from £69,995 to more than £250,000, and many of the plots are on the water front, with private jetties, wooden decking and hot tubs.

The park operates a buy-to-let scheme which ensures that buyers can earn an income from their holiday home when it’s not in use. This is a huge attraction to buyers, who are guaranteed a return of 6% per annum for three years. Several owners have started with one lodge, and bought more as they have come available.

“The park’s biggest challenge is also its biggest asset,” reveals Zuzana. She continues: “The nearby Lake District National Park is full of alternative options when it comes to luxury holiday homes but this works in our favour, with around 30% of holiday home sales on the park resulting from people ‘calling in’ as they head back down the M6 after being put off by high prices or Lake District traffic jams.”

The leisure village has an 11 month season, closing from the beginning of January to the beginning of February for annual maintenance work and improvements. The state-of-the-art Pure Leisure Health & Fitness Club is the highlight of the leisure facilities offered at the park and includes a gym, fitness suites a large, indoor swimming pool, steam room and a beauty spa.

NEW INVESTMENT

The latest addition to the park is a brand new £2million development of eco-friendly holiday homes, which bridges the gap between the high-end caravans and luxury lodges. Named The Yealands, the development has been developed from scratch by Pure Leisure Group and owners have access to all of the facilities at the leisure village.

Zuzana says she has a number of hopes for her new role at the park, but will concentrate on putting people first: “I have loved all of my jobs because I like working with people. I’m not afraid of hard work and I know every person in the team has an important role to play in keeping a lovely place like this running smoothly.”

South Lakeland Leisure Village
Tel. 01524 781918
www.pure-leisure.co.uk

New Legislation Comes Into Effect

Posted on November 14, 2016

New Legislation Comes Into Effect

It is essential that holiday
park owners understand their legal
obligation to use approved meters for billing their consumers for energy.

DigiCard Systems, a leading manufacturer of electricity meters is urging holiday parks to be aware of new legislation governing the design and manufacture of energy meters.

Previously all electricity and gas meters installed in the UK must, by law, have been approved by Ofgem. As of October, the Ofgem legislation was replaced by new MID regulations (Measuring Instruments Directive).

Ofgem regulations still apply to existing meter installations but property-owners could be liable for prosecution if they install meters that do not meet the new MID requirements.

“The purpose of these regulations is to protect the consumer by ensuring that all meters are manufactured under controlled conditions in order to guarantee long-term accuracy and quality assurance,” says Chris Smith of DigiCard Systems.

“It is therefore essential that holiday park owners understand their legal obligation to use approved meters for billing their consumers for energy. We are advising holiday park owners to ask their meter suppliers for a copy of the MID Approval Certificate for their meters.”

The Return Of ‘Gramping’

Posted on November 14, 2016

The Return Of ‘Gramping’

Multi-generation holidays are becoming increasingly popular. Pic: VisitEngland/ Joe Wainwright Photography

Young families teaming up with grandparents for holidays have seen a marked rise this year, according to a major Lake District holiday park. Silverdale park in South Cumbria says that ‘gramping’, as it’s known, has been making a big comeback after decades of decline.

“When Silverdale first started out in business 60 years ago, it was quite common for three generations of the same family to go away on holiday together,” he said.

“Extended family breaks fell from favour as overseas holidays gained ground, and people began leading more separate lives from one another.

“But now British staycations are back in demand, families are using the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in the way they once did. As well as sharing the expense, it also means mum and dad have a built-in child care service so that they can make an occasional escape and be just a couple again,” he added.

Michael says that the gramping phenomenon is also resulting in more families sharing the cost of buying a caravan holiday home.

“We’ve been seeing many more people this year doing their sums and realising the considerable financial benefits of shared ownership,” says Michael. “And once again, it’s the local economy which benefits as more visits mean more spending in businesses such as shops, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions,” he added.

Holiday Snaps

Posted on November 14, 2016

Holiday Snaps

Neil Ainsworth
Head of Operations & Retail at Bunn Leisure

After spending eight years working for Bourne Leisure and three years with Bridge Leisure, Neil moved to Bunn Leisure in West Sussex in January 2016 to become Head of Operations and Retail. His responsibilities include oversight of all retail experience at the Bunn site; bars, catering, shops and the Oasis pool complex.

You’ve spent most of your career working in holiday parks, how have they changed?

Without a doubt it’s our visitors’ expectations – they have risen enormously. The difference in expectation when I started with Rank in the early 1990s to now almost can’t be compared. What visitors expect to see in their caravan; anything from double-glazing to central heating, plus the basic functionality of them has risen and so has their expectation of how their children will be entertained, both during the day and the evening.

What’s the most important aspect of your job?

It’s got to be the ability to understand the business from the customer view. I think it helps that I’ve spent a number of my holidays in the past either on holiday parks. If you’ve enjoyed this type of holiday it gives you invaluable experience to bring to the job.

Anything specific you’ve taken from your own experience at these places?

I remember being at Disney and noticing that the team there all had name badges which wasn’t particularly innovative but then they’d include the place they came from, such as ‘Jake from Denver, Colorado’. I introduced that at one of the parks I used to work on for Bourne Leisure. Little things like that can make a big difference – critical non-essentials, I like to call them!

What is the main focus of the retail side of holiday park work?

Ensuring good and consistent working practises and looking at everything we sell and how we sell it. I’m always looking into new ways and new products to retail – what do our customers really want to see in our shops, bars and restaurants – and how we can help our guests buy our products at the best possible price.

Is live entertainment still important?

Absolutely. I think we’re miles ahead on this - we spend more than £1.5 million a year on entertainment at Bunn Leisure and our guests and owners really appreciate it. They love the idea that they are getting world-class performers, such as Billy Ocean or Heather Small, as well as the activities we produce for teens and children.

It sounds as if children and young people are increasingly the key?

If they are it’s because we attract so many families and one of the reasons for that – and for UK holiday parks still being so popular - is because it’s a safe and secure environment for children. There’s a feeling here that you can allow your children to roam free and enjoy a wide range of activities and facilities. When I was a child you could go out and play in the street but parents are far less likely to let their children do that now so it’s great they can still do this in holiday parks.

Wish You Were Here

Posted on November 14, 2016

Quick snaps that capture the daily life at holiday parks across the country...

Picture postcards from Seven Oaks Holiday Park in Shropshire…

One of the most picturesque caravan holiday home and luxury lodge parks in the Welsh Marches can be found on the border with Shropshire. Overlooking the River Severn, Seven Oaks Holiday Park at Crew Green, between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, has been awarded the VisitWales five star rating. Most caravan holiday homes and lodges on the park have river views and are bordered by mature trees, banks of planting and immaculately kept grass down to the riverside.

River fishing is available and there are two fishing lakes for the exclusive use of owners. Non-anglers are able to relax on one of the many benches dotted around the lake and enjoy watching the abundant wildlife. The park’s facilities include a dedicated reception, laundry, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a bowling green complete with pavilion and pitch and putt golf.

Recent investment has included 20 new riverside pitches on an elevated terrace, taking the total to 120. Open from March to January every year, the park is especially popular with caravan owners from the Midlands and North West England. “We are not just selling a caravan holiday home here, we are selling a new way of life,” says Margaret Brace, who manages the park with her husband, Ron.

Seven Oaks Holiday Park
Tel. 01743 617871
www.sevenoakscaravanpark.co.uk

Crowds Flock To Popular Caravan Events

Posted on November 14, 2016

Crowds Flock To Popular Caravan Events

Thousands of visitors descended on The Lawns and Beaulieu shows this September.

The Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers’ Association (HERCMA) held their annual events at The Lawns and Beaulieu in September attracting thousands of enthusiasts and buyers from across the UK, eager to see the season’s newest models.

There was plenty to see at both shows with over 150 holiday homes, lodges and park homes as well as over 130 touring caravans. In addition to the caravans there were plenty of other suppliers and service stands selling decking, awnings, caravan movers, and insurance, and there was a large accessories shop within The Lawns Centre.

Entertainment at The Lawns saw clowns, face-painters, balloon modellers a local orchestra and a roaming jazz band as well as a small fun-fair. Beaulieu saw face-painters and a magician. Details of next year’s shows at The Lawns and Beaulieu will be released soon.

Visit the website www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com for more information.

Making Waves

Posted on November 14, 2016

The UK’s best holiday park pools are celebrated at this year’s UK Pool & Spa Awards…

The overall category winner and coveted Holiday Park Pool of the Year title went to Tydd St Giles Golf & Country Club at the recent UK Pool & Spa Awards.

The UK’s multiple water leisure sectors celebrated their biggest night of the year at the hotly-contested UK Pool & Spa Awards last month. Overall category winners across 26 categories were each presented with a certificate and a trophy by Olympic swimmer and popular TV sports presenter Sharron Davies MBE at the special prize giving and networking evening, which was held at The Vox in Birmingham. Once again, the awards recognised the outstanding achievements of the country’s holiday park sector, with the Holiday Park Pool of the Year award. Within the category, six holiday parks were shortlisted and each received a Gold standard award. “Holiday parks play a big role in the UK’s provision of water leisure facilities and we’re delighted to be able to showcase some of the very best that the industry has to offer,” says Christina Connor, editor of Swimming Pool Scene magazine, the independent publication behind the annual competition.

STAND-OUT PARKS

“We received entries from a number of stand-out parks, who clearly value their pool facilities and work hard to keep them in top notch condition. The awards go some way in rewarding that hard work and raising the profile of those parks.” The overall category winner and coveted Holiday Park Pool of the Year title went to Tydd St Giles Golf & Country Club in Cambridgeshire, for its luxury heated swimming pool. The pool, which is located within a leisure complex on the lodge development, is open to holiday home owners, holiday guests and club members and welcomes around 23,000 bathers per year. The judges felt that the immaculate appearance and dramatic criss-crossing of exposed oak beams really makes this pool a head-turner. Meanwhile, the wellness facilities including a steam room and sauna further enhance the guest experience. The leisure complex at Tydd St Giles opened in 2013 and is managed by Lauren Buckingham, who has worked at the park in various roles since she was 13. Lauren is supported by a dedicated team who work hard to maintain the high standards that customers have come to expect.

GOLD STANDARD

Parks that achieved the Gold standard in the holiday park pool category included Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in Devon, Thornwick Bay Holiday Park in Yorkshire, Plas Coch Holiday Homes in Wales, The Pickaquoy Centre Trust in Scotland and Brean Leisure Park & Holiday Resort Unity in Somerset. The operators of Brean Leisure Park also scooped a Gold standard award in the Water Leisure Operator of the Year category. The parks were presented with their certificates and awards by Olympic swimmer and popular TV sports presenter Sharron Davies MBE. “We introduced the Holiday Park Pool of the Year award last year, and it’s great to see even more parks being recognised in this year’s competition,” added Christina Connor. “The holiday park sector has certainly raised the water leisure bar this year and we hope to build on that success in the 2017 awards.Watch this space!”

Founded in 2010, the UK Pool and Spa Awards are organised by Waterland Media, the publishers of Swimming Pool Scene and Hot Tub & Swim Spa Scene, the market-leading magazines for the combined water leisure sectors. The UK Pool and Spa Awards are open to the entire water leisure industry and aim to celebrate outstanding swimming pools, swim spas, hot tubs design, management and refurbishment and the outstanding people in our industry who make a difference. On-line voting accounts for 40% of the overall vote. Voting by the Judging panel – made up of industry representatives and professionals from all over the world - accounts for 60% of the vote.

For more information on the competition, or to get involved in next year’s awards, visit www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk.

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park

The pool at Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in Devon is well known for being one of the warmest and cleanest pools in the area, with the average temperature around 33C. Complete with a flume and a separate paddling area, the pool very popular with young families, couples and older guests alike. The park also has a close connection to Ratcliff School for special needs, which uses the pool for private school sessions.

Thornwick Bay Holiday Park

The main pool at Thornwick Bay Holiday Park was recently refurbished by Leisure Concepts. It features fun splash and spray jets, a new children’s pool area with water play slides, and an all new activity and swim pool. There’s also a new multi-lane family speed slide, new splash pool with tipping bucket, spray features and a bubble seat.

Brean Leisure Park & Holiday Resort Unity

The large modern splash park at Brean Leisure is used by members of the public, holidaymakers, schools and triathlete clubs, for swimming lessons and fitness classes.
The pool was in operation for 30 years prior to the rebuild in 2011. Over £5 million was spent in the first phase of the rebuild, making the pool into a 25m indoor modern leisure facility.
The pool is operated by the House family who have owned the site for the past 70 years, and are involved in the day to day running of the business.

Plas Coch Holiday Homes

The pool at Plas Coch park is open to private residents and offers a range of water-based activities such as swimming lessons, water walkers, snorkelling, scuba diving, pool parties, aqua fun and fitness classes. Welcoming up to 20,000 bathers each year, the pool is run by Park Leisure 2000, which operates ten holiday homes parks throughout the UK. The pool has recently had the walls, ceilings and floors refurbished and painted to ensure the integrity of the facility remains first class.

The Pickaquoy Centre Trust

The pool and spa the Pickaquoy Centre is used for a number of sessions from public swimming to group exercise classes, swimming lessons and inflatable sessions. Although the pool is part of the facilities the Trust manages on behalf of the Council, it is attached to the caravan and camping park and is used by holidaymakers and the general public. The pool has an annual bather load of 70,000.